Online shipping quotes

There probably isn't a day that goes by that we don't hear this "I was online and saw that it would cost "X" to ship via ..." At which point we have to educate the customer about online shipping quotes vs the real world of commercial shipping.

When you send a package through one of the three major carriers (FedEx, UPS & DHL) there is a base rate (this is the rate that most websites will show, and if you read closely in their small print they will tell you this in one way or the other). The true cost to shipping the package not included in this price will definitely include a fuel surcharge which I have seen range anywhere from 1.5% to 28%. The other charge that these website neglect to tell anyone about is the pickup fee to have a package picked up at your location. As a shipping store we pay those fees everyday and they are included in our rates, so you will see a difference in rates right there.

Usually listed right on those sites is a disclaimer stating that prices given are only estimates and prices at a commercial counter may vary. Commercial counters include stores like us that are franchised (Goin' Postal, Post Net, The UPS Store, FedEx Kinko's) and mom and pop stores. If you go to a carrier hub you may receive the published base rate, but first you will have to find it and usually it is a lot easier, friendlier and closer to go to a commercial counter.

Commercial counters are a business just like a gas station, your local movie theater, food supermarket, etc... and as such they have overhead that requires a markup. So it should be understood that the prices will be slightly higher than the wholesale published base rate.

However, also it should be understood by those commercial counters that you the customer should receive quality, friendly & quick service. I have heard horror stories about commercial stores that don't do this. It is Goin' Postals mission to provide that type of service.

Stay tuned for more about shipping quotes from individual websites and the problems with each one.